If you drive in Dubai, your Salik balance drops every time you pass under a toll gate, and an empty account turns into fines faster than most people expect. The good news is that a Salik recharge takes less than a minute once you know which channel suits you. This 2026 guide covers every way to top up, the exact minimum and maximum amounts, current toll prices, the fines for low balance, and what to do when a payment does not show.
Quick Answer: You can do a Salik recharge online at salik.ae with just your plate number, in the Smart Salik, RTA Dubai or DubaiNow app, through most UAE banks, by SMS to 5959, or with a prepaid recharge card at petrol stations. The minimum top-up is AED 50, in multiples of AED 50, and credit normally appears within minutes.
Salik Recharge 2026: Every Way to Top Up Your Account
Salik is Dubai’s electronic road toll system, run by Salik Company PJSC under the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). A sticker tag on your windscreen is read at 10 gates across the city, and each crossing is deducted from a prepaid balance linked to your plate. There is no cash booth, so keeping your balance topped up is the only way to avoid violations.
Salik Recharge Methods Compared
Every official channel adds credit to the same account. Pick the one that matches how you already pay bills.
| Method | Login needed? | How you pay | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salik website (Quick Recharge) | No, plate number only | Debit/credit card | Fast one-off top-ups |
| Smart Salik app | Yes | Card or recharge card | Regular drivers, trip history |
| DubaiNow app | UAE Pass login | Card, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay | Paying all Dubai bills in one place |
| RTA Dubai app | Yes | Card or recharge card | Drivers who also use RTA services |
| Careem, TAMM or du Pay | App login | Card or wallet | Paying from an app you already use |
| Bank app, ATM or CDM | Bank login | Bank account | Auto top-up, no card fees |
| Prepaid recharge card | No | Cash at the counter | Drivers who prefer cash |
| SMS to 5959 | No, account number + PIN | Recharge card | No internet access |
| Self-service kiosk | No | Recharge card or card | Drivers near an RTA centre or bank branch |
| Salik call centre 800 72545 | Account number + PIN | Card or recharge card | When apps fail |
How to Recharge Salik Online in 2026
The quickest way to do a salik recharge online is the Quick Recharge page on the official Salik website. You do not need to create an account or remember a PIN.
Step-by-step: Salik website
- Go to salik.ae and choose Recharge.
- Select Plate number (or enter your Salik account number or tag number instead).
- Enter the plate source (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and so on), category, code and number.
- Type the amount: at least AED 50 and in steps of AED 50.
- Pay by Visa or Mastercard and keep the confirmation email or SMS.
Step-by-step: Smart Salik app
- Download Smart Salik from the App Store or Google Play and log in with your account number and PIN.
- Tap Recharge on the home screen.
- Choose Credit card or Recharge card (for a recharge card, enter the 12-digit number under the scratch panel).
- Enter the amount and confirm.
Step-by-step: DubaiNow app
- Open DubaiNow and sign in with UAE Pass.
- Go to Vehicles, then Salik.
- Your linked accounts appear automatically. Enter the amount and pay with card, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay.
Step-by-step: RTA Dubai app
- Open the RTA Dubai app and log in.
- Tap Salik, then Recharge.
- Choose card payment or a recharge card, enter the amount and confirm.
You can also top up from apps you may already have: Careem (Bills & recharges > Salik), Abu Dhabi’s TAMM (My Utilities > Salik) and du Pay. Each asks for your Salik account or plate details, then takes card or wallet payment.
DubaiNow is handy if you already use it for DEWA bills, traffic fines or your Nol card, because every payment stays in one history.
How to Recharge Salik Through Your Bank
If you want to know how to recharge salik without entering card details every time, use your bank. Most UAE banks list Salik as a biller in their app, online banking, ATMs and cash deposit machines. Banks that support Salik top-up include Emirates NBD, Dubai Islamic Bank, ADCB, CBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mashreq, RAKBANK, Standard Chartered, ADIB, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Ajman Bank, Citibank and others.
- Open your banking app and go to Pay bills or Utilities.
- Add Salik as a beneficiary using your Salik account number (or mobile number and plate, depending on the bank).
- Enter the amount and confirm with your OTP.
Bank top-ups usually carry no extra service charge. Several banks also offer auto top-up, which adds a fixed amount whenever your balance falls below a level you choose. It is the simplest way to never think about Salik again. New to FAB? See our guide to registering for FAB online banking.
Using a Salik Recharge Card
A salik recharge card is a prepaid voucher sold at ENOC, ADNOC and Emarat petrol stations and some supermarkets. Scratch the back to reveal a 12-digit number, then apply it on the Salik website, the Smart Salik app, by SMS to 5959 or by calling the 24-hour line on 800 72545. Cards are useful for cash payers or for topping up a family member’s car, but remember that they are only credit. Buying one does nothing until the code is applied to an account.
Salik Recharge by SMS and at Kiosks
No data or app? Two offline options still work, as long as you have a 12-digit recharge card.
SMS recharge to 5959
Send an SMS to 5959 in this format:
R*12-digit recharge card number*Salik account number*PIN
Example: R*123456789012*12345678*1234. Each SMS costs about 30 fils from your mobile operator, and you get a reply with your new balance. Double-check every digit, because a wrong account number sends the credit to someone else.
Self-service kiosks
Salik and RTA kiosks sit in RTA customer centres, some malls and selected Dubai Islamic Bank, ADIB and FAB branches. Enter your account number and PIN (or plate number with your mobile or tag number), then the recharge card number or card payment. The RTA apps can show the nearest machine.
Salik Recharge Rules: Minimum, Maximum and Validity
| Rule | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| Minimum per recharge | AED 50 |
| Amounts allowed | Multiples of AED 50 |
| Maximum per transaction | AED 50,000 |
| New Salik tag | AED 100 (includes AED 50 toll credit) |
| Refund of unused balance | Not refundable as cash; stays on the account |
Salik credit does not move between vehicles automatically. If you sell your car, deactivate the tag or transfer it through Salik before handing over the keys. Our guide to buying a car in Dubai covers the full ownership transfer checklist.
How Much Each Salik Crossing Costs in 2026
Since 31 January 2025, Salik uses variable pricing based on time of day:
| Time | Weekdays (Mon–Sat) | Sundays |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 am – 10:00 am | AED 6 | AED 4 |
| 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | AED 4 | AED 4 |
| 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm | AED 6 | AED 4 |
| 8:00 pm – 1:00 am | AED 4 | AED 4 |
| 1:00 am – 6:00 am | Free | Free |
Passing Al Mamzar North and South, or Al Safa North and South, in the same direction within one hour is charged once. During Ramadan and on public holidays the timings change, so check the latest notice on the RTA website before relying on the free window.
A daily commuter crossing two gates each way at peak time spends about AED 24 a day, so a weekly AED 100–150 top-up is a sensible habit.
Salik Balance Check Before and After You Recharge
A quick salik balance check tells you whether a top-up went through and how long it will last.
- Salik website: choose Check balance, enter your plate details and registered mobile number.
- Smart Salik or DubaiNow app: balance and trip history appear on the home screen.
- Phone: call 800 72545, enter your account number and PIN, then follow the balance option.
- SMS alerts: Salik texts your registered number when your balance runs low. Keep that number up to date.
Most top-ups show within a few minutes. If yours has not appeared after about 15 minutes, keep your payment reference and call 800 72545 rather than paying again.
Salik Fines for Low Balance and No Tag
The fines are the main reason to recharge on time. Salik’s terms, updated in June 2024, work like this:
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| You cross with insufficient balance | You have 5 working days to recharge |
| Balance still not topped up after 5 working days | AED 50 fine, then AED 50 for each further day |
| Car has no Salik tag (unregistered) | 10 working days to buy a tag from your first trip |
| Unregistered: first violation after that | AED 100 |
| Unregistered: second violation | AED 200 |
| Unregistered: each later violation | AED 400 (max one per day) |
| Yearly cap | AED 10,000 per vehicle per calendar year |
Weekends and public holidays do not count toward the grace period. Salik fines are added to your vehicle’s traffic file, so you cannot renew your registration until they are paid. Salik violations carry no black points, but other offences do; see our UAE black points and fines guide.
Salik on Rental and Company Cars
Rental cars already carry a Salik tag registered to the rental company. You do not recharge it yourself. The company charges each crossing to your deposit or card, often with a small admin fee per crossing (commonly AED 1–5), so read the contract. Our car rental insurance guide explains what else is deducted from deposits. Company cars follow the employer’s policy, usually with a fleet account managed by HR or admin.
Common Salik Recharge Problems and Fixes
- Recharge not showing: wait 15 minutes, then check balance on the website. Still missing? Call 800 72545 with your payment reference.
- Card declined: some banks block online payments by default. Enable online transactions in your bank app or use Apple Pay in DubaiNow.
- Wrong plate entered: the money goes to whichever account matches that plate. Contact Salik immediately with your receipt.
- Forgot your PIN: you do not need it for Quick Recharge. Reset it in the app with your registered mobile number for login channels.
- Salik, Nol or Hafilat? Salik is only for Dubai road tolls. Metro and bus fares use the Nol card, and Abu Dhabi buses use the Hafilat card. Abu Dhabi’s road toll is a separate system called Darb.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum amount for a Salik recharge?
The minimum is AED 50. Every top-up must be a multiple of AED 50, up to AED 50,000 per transaction.
Can I recharge Salik without logging in?
Yes. Use Quick Recharge on salik.ae and enter only your plate number, account number or tag number. No PIN or account login is needed.
How long does a Salik recharge take to show?
Online, app and bank recharges usually show within a few minutes. If the balance has not changed after about 15 minutes, call Salik on 800 72545.
What happens if my Salik balance is zero?
You can still pass the gate. You then have 5 working days to recharge. After that, an AED 50 fine is issued and another AED 50 for each further day.
Can I recharge Salik by SMS?
Yes. Text R*recharge card number*account number*PIN to 5959. You need a 12-digit recharge card, and the SMS costs about 30 fils.
Does Salik balance expire?
No fixed expiry applies while your tag is active. Unused credit is not refunded as cash, so top up in amounts you will actually use.
Can I recharge Salik for another person’s car?
Yes. Enter their plate number on the Salik website or apply a recharge card to their account. The credit goes to that vehicle’s account.
Final Word
The simplest setup for most UAE residents is a bank auto top-up or a monthly Salik recharge on the website, plus low-balance SMS alerts. Do that and you will never see a Salik fine on your traffic file. For other Dubai services you can pay online, browse our UAE government services guide.
